> It's possible that in the US they simply spend more money on useless things, or do more screenings with better technology These are both components to saying

> It's possible that in the US they simply spend more money on useless things, or do more screenings with better technology These are both components to saying that the health care system is more expensive in the US. > a rich country could spend more money on health care and still have worse average health than poorer countries Yes. I think that multiple people on this thread would argue that this is the case with the US. > many health outcomes may also depend on wealth - for example over-consumption leading to obesity, which might affect health more than spending on health care can compensate. This implies that differences in social services and urban design have an impact on healthcare spending. This is relevant to /u/sykick's statements "the cost of healthcare, housing, food, and transportation should be taken into account." and "I'd rather be poor in Sweden than in the U.S."